To assess the impact of reinstating the reconsideration step in the Michigan Disability Determination Services (DDS) under four scenarios.

Background

In 1999, SSA began testing several modifications to the disability determination procedures, including the elimination of the reconsideration step in 10 States. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, SSA will reinstate the reconsideration step in Michigan because allowing claims at the reconsideration level provides benefits earlier to some claimants who would otherwise wait for a hearing at the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).

On April 5, 2010, we received a Congressional request to review the impact of reinstating reconsiderations in the Michigan DDS.